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 CHAPTER VIII

events of 1857 had the effect of turning a strong current of English thought and feeling in the direction of India. What did such a convulsion mean? Of what disease in the body politic was it the outcome? What defects in the administrative machinery had occasioned so sudden, so serious a collapse? In July, 1857, Mr. D'Israeli, in the last debate of the session, had taken the view that the revolt was not military but national, and had proposed, by way of remedy, a Royal Commission to enquire into grievances, and a large increase of the European force. The people of India should, he urged, be made to feel 'that there was a hope for them in the future, and be taught at once that the relations between them and the Sovereign would be drawn nearer.' The House refused to interfere with the action of the Government, but accepted Lord John Russell's proposal to vote an address, expressive of their readiness to support the Crown in any effort necessary to restore tranquillity. There could be little doubt that among such restorative measures would be a modification of the English branch of the Indian Government. In July, 1857, Lord